NEWS COPY - WITH INFOGRAPHIC
Millions of Brits are now happy to live a solitary existence, according to new research.
Nine in 10 UK adults are content to be in their own company - with 59 per cent comfortable with living alone.
Half would be perfectly happy to buy a house just for themselves and four in 10 have no qualms holidaying abroad solo.
Of those polled two thirds said it was more acceptable to travel alone now than it was a decade ago.
However the research of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by Intrepid Travel, which has launched a range of group trips for solo travellers, also found 30 per cent are worried they'd get bored travelling alone.
Michael Edwards, UK managing director of Intrepid Travel, said: "There are all kinds of reasons why someone has the urge to travel but no one to do it with.
"Travelling alone on a group tour is a great way to see the world - you have an expert guide to help you avoid the tourist traps, plus ready made friends for a karaoke session, a street food tour or just a chat over the breakfast table.
"Some people can be apprehensive about going on their own but it's a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people and make friends for life."
Over half of those surveyed said they are keen to face a major life challenge such as a round the world trip - although a quarter would like to go with someone else.
While three in five respondents aren't fazed by flying solo and around half are content to navigate a busy airport unaccompanied.
However six in 10 adults wouldn't be happy to drive abroad on their own.
Motoring around the UK is a different story with 55 per cent of people at ease navigating the British Isles alone.
And six in 10 of those polled would have no qualms buying a new car on their lonesome.
Three quarters of Brits are happy to catch a train unaccompanied and over half have no problem going to the gym alone.
Popping to the pub without anyone else isn't a problem for 40 per cent of people, while a third will happily go out for a meal on their own.
Food shopping without company is no concern eight in 10 respondents and similarly over three quarters are happy to shop for gifts with no one there.
Of those surveyed, a third said they have been on holiday alone while over a quarter worry they would get lonely being abroad without someone to keep them company.
Intrepid's Michael Edwards added: "We are seeing a huge increase in solo travellers who want to explore the world with us.
"With more than half of our travellers going solo, we wanted to celebrate their independent spirit by creating three solo-only trips to Morocco, Colombia and India.
"Travelling alone can be confusing and complicated - group tours have all the flexibility and freedom of solo travel, but without the risks."
Travel writer Katy Colins [corr] and Wanderlust editor Lyn Hughes will share their experiences and offer advice on how to travel solo at a ' Travel Meet-up ' on 5 October in Brixton.
For further information visit: www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/london-events
ENDS